By Alec Go
The Department of Health (DOH) reported 32,744 additional COVID-19 cases in the country on Friday (Jan. 21), bringing the active case count to 291,618.
A total of 16,385 recoveries and 156 deaths were also reported, raising the recovery tally to 3,012,156 and death toll to 53,309. To date, there have been 3,357,083 confirmed cases since the pandemic started.
There are 9,015 cases considered as asymptomatic and 277,833 mild, while there are 2,979 moderate, 1,487 severe, and 304 critical. The DOH said 44% of the 75,335 tested based on Jan. 19 data are positive for COVID-19.
Meanwhile, the intensive care unit (ICU) utilization in the country reached 51%, isolation bed occupancy is at 52%, ward beds are at 54%, and ventilators at 24%.
The National Capital Region (NCR) has an ICU occupancy of 49%, isolation bed utilization of 48%, and ward and ventilator use of 56% and 27%, respectively.
Alert Level 4
The government recently placed Kalinga, Ifugao, Mountain Province, and Northern Samar under Alert Level 4 due to increasing COVID-19 cases and healthcare utilization.
DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in the Jan. 21 Palace briefing that these areas have healthcare utilization rates (HCUR) reaching around 70%.
Several areas are also being monitored for having the same HCUR rates but were not placed under Alert Level 4.
“Compared to other areas na katulad ng ibang areas nag-70%, 73% sa ICU allocation at utilization nila, ngunit ang kanilang allocated beds ay nasa 30% or less than 50% pa lang,” Vergeire said.
“Binibigyan pa natin ng panahon ang ating mga local governments with less than 50% allocated beds for COVID-19 para mabigyan pa rin po ng mas maraming kama ang COVID-19 to better prepare kung tataas pa nang husto ang mga kaso,” she added.
Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said the government is monitoring Bataan, Iloilo City, Ormoc City, Naga City, Dagupan City, Western Samar, Tacloban City, Biliran, and Zamboanga del Sur.
“If they increase their dedicated COVID beds, then they will stay in Alert Level 3. But kung mag-breach sila ng threshold, then no choice tayo kung hindi i-escalate ang mga ‘yan,” he said.
Meanwhile, the DOH said it welcomed the move of local government units and organizations in providing free COVID-19 care kits to the public, but reminded that prescription drugs should not be included.
“Alam ko po intensiyon nating lahat na makatulong sa ating mga kababayan. Pero kapag nagbigay tayo ng homecare kits, huwag po tayong maglalagay ng mga prescription medication dahil baka ito ay mas magkaroon ng harm sa ating mga kababayan,” Vergeire said.
